Reviews

Hans-Peter Rot: 15-Oct-2005

SCORES

Score/10

Weight

Aroma:

10%

Look/snap:

5%

Taste:

35%

Melt:

5%

Length:

15%

Opinion:

30%

Total/100:

100%

INFO

Best before:

Batch num:

Source:

Supplied by:

Encased within a plastic wrapper is a crimson-colored bar, bustling with good sheen and devoid of molding imperfections. It looks great as usual for Marcolini, and once removed, the aroma continues to build excitement. This is a simple perfume, immediately recognizable as an orange creamsicle, with a strong acidic edge. No other components really stand out, instead merging into a unified sensation that by itself is truly unforgettable.

Malt and vanilla immediately open the flavor in a cozy sort of way that one might associate with milkshakes and ice cream. Quickly ensuing is a modest acidity and orange, contributing an orange creamsicle feel to the overall flavor, with a distinct buttermilk twang for added zing to an already cheerful and jovial flavor. Coffee comes in towards the end, as the chocolate closes on a stronger, more serious note. Emphasizing this creaminess of flavor is a creaminess of texture that luckily never takes on any grit or dryness.

When Java met Venezuela, the resulting union formed an offspring of unique and divergent character. Considering the constituency of the blend, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s particularly surprising to taste such a drastic and unique transformation in the finished flavor. How Marcolini achieved this feat is somewhat mysterious, especially if he simply combined the Venezuela and Java bars he currently offers. Nonetheless, despite the bar being a blend, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s perhaps more representative of some finer Venezuelans or even Madagascans to an extent, since it certainly bears a one-dimensionally acidic, bright flavor that has been tasted in these origins in the past.

Martin Christy: 25-Sep-2003

SCORES

Score/10

Weight

Aroma:

10%

Look/snap:

5%

Taste:

35%

Melt:

5%

Length:

15%

Opinion:

30%

Total/100:

100%

INFO

Best before:

Batch num:

Source:

Supplied by:

Satin finish to this purple/brown chocolate with the look of a marble slab. A strong snap reveals a fine grain with sheared sections and some tiny bubbles. Aroma is fruity (mango/lime) and perfumed with slight hints of tobacco and liquorice, and also woodsmoke and perhaps yeast extract.

The first touch is citrus, then plain vanilla, then ‘wafer’ caramel flavours appear as the melt starts. The darker, liquorice tones are always under control as the fruit tones dominate with light orange.

Very good length, with wine and lime and a hint of spice. A little acid, but lingers delightfully.

Great flavour in this chocolate, the only possible objection being itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s strong acidity that may put off those not so keen on fruit tones.